Over the years, there have been numerous cases of children being accidentally left behind in cars who then die of heatstroke.
Temperatures within a closed car that had been left under the sun without the air-conditioner running could rise up to 80°C within 30 minutes, posing a serious threat of heatstroke.
A toddler could succumb to heatstroke in about 20 minutes as he goes into cardiac arrest when the body gets too dehydrated and breaks down.
Heatstroke affects children more as they are smaller and their internal coping system are more vulnerable to extreme temperature changes.
Child and road safety experts say there are ways to ensure children are not accidentally left in cars.
> A driver should always be aware of not only what are outside but also inside his vehicle;
> Never leave toddlers or babies unattended in vehicles in the first place;
> Place a photo of your child on the dashboard or hang some token on the rearview mirror to constantly remind yourself of another person on board;
> Ask the child to tell stories or sing together so he does not fall asleep in the back seat;
> For older children, parents should train them to use the car lock and report any physical discomforts; and
> A man travelling with his wife should be vigilant and not assume that she is looking after the child or children on board.